Let there now be no doubt or confusion on anyone's part: For us, your bishops, our obligation to protect children and young people and to prevent sexual abuse flows from the mission and example given to us by Jesus Christ himself, in whose name we serve.

~ from the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, June 2005, USCCB

A Promise to Protect

In response to the crisis of the sexual abuse of children by clergy in the Catholic Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCD) drafted a landmark document in Dallas, Texas, at its 2002 summer assembly. In this statement, the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (the Charter), the bishops recommit themselves to victims/survivors and their families and to each other in order to ensure—to the best of their abilities—that sexual abuse of minors within the Church will never happen again. A comprehensive set of procedures to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy, the Charter includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse. To learn more our programs download a copy of the brochure: Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal or visit the USCCB Office of Child and Youth Protection.

If you have been abised or victimized by someone representing the Catholic Church, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. We encourage you to come forward and speak out. Every arch/diocese/eparchy, and to arrange a personal meeting with the bishop or his representative, if you desire. The victim service coordinator for the Diocese of Worcester is Judith Audette. A report can be made by phone to (508) 929-4363. If the report is made by mail, please send it to:

Please understand that anonymous reports of misconduct compromise the ability of the diocese to follow up on such reports and to take disciplinary action or any other action. It is the policy and practice of the Diocese of Worcester to respond promptly and with compassion to all reports of misconduct. Be aware that if you report child abuse, the diocese will report the matter to law enforcement. You yourself may also, of course, report instances of sexual misconduct directly to law enforcement.

Child Abuse Prevention Resources

April is Child Abuse Prevention month. the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the USCCB has supplied dioceses throughout the country with resources to promore awareness. Parishes within the Diocese of Worcester or encouraged to review the material and use them within their own parishes. Please contact Frances Nugent, Director of the Office for Healing and Prevention if you have questions regarding the material, phone: (508) 929-4363 or email: jaudette@worcesterdiocese.org.

Bulletin Announcements

Please feel free to copy and paste these announcements for use in your weekly parish bulletin. Click here for announcement listing.